Caring for your bed linens can be easy if you follow some simple suggestions. In return, you will prolong the life of your bed linens and preserve their beautiful appearance. While we recommend always reading the care label on each item for best results, here are some other helpful tips that will keep your linens fresh and clean.

Washing – Prewash your linens before first use. Separate your linens from other items in the wash, especially those containing polyester, which tends to create pilling, and items with heavy zippers, which can damage the fabric. Separate light and dark colors. Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation. You can wash most linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse, but be sure to check the care label.

 Detergent – Use a mild detergent without added bleach, whiteners, or fabric softeners. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount of detergent. We love LeBlanc‘s Linen Wash in Blue Violet, which has a pH-balanced, bleach-free formula with a soft, floral scent.

Bleaching – Chlorine bleach will weaken fibers and cause the fabric to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use an oxygen-based bleach.

Drying – While line drying outdoors is gentle, safe, and imbues linens with the fresh scent of the outdoors and natural bleaching of the sun, it is not always practical. You can machine dry most linens on low heat, but be sure to check the care label. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Never use a high heat setting, which will weaken the fibers, damage the fabric, increase shrinkage, and shorten the life of your linens. Remove items from dryer promptly, while still damp, to minimize wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron, if desired. For that natural, outdoor scent without the sunlight, try LeBlanc‘s Lavender Dryer Sachets for a subtle hint of fragrance.

Ironing – Check to make sure your steam iron is clean – mineral deposits could cause brown spotting. Iron linens while still damp. To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse side. For embroidered linens, iron them on the reverse side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork.

Shrinkage – All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but in most instances we generously overcut our products to allow for shrinkage. Do not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to damage the fabric and intensify shrinkage. Always follow instructions on care label.

Storing Linens – Store bed linens in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Linens stored long term should be wrapped in white cotton, muslin (old pillow cases work well) or acid-free paper. Avoid storing linens in plastic bags or boxes, which can cause permanent yellowing; natural fibers need to breathe. Cedar chests can also yellow or streak fabrics. To keep your clean linens fragrant, we love elizabethW‘s Sachets and Drawer Liners.

For more from our Closet Shop, click here.

For over 150 years, Moser has been mastering works of art in their stunning lead-free crystal. In an array of dazzling colors, Moser‘s collections for bar and table strike a perfect chord in the chillingly beautiful hue of Alexandrite.

For more colorful crystal by Moser, click here.

Throughout Chinese history, the Horse has been a symbol of power, strength and freedom. Often associated with the sun or flame, the year of the Horse will be filled with adventure, speedy victories and travel. As we usher in this exciting New Year on January 31, 2014, these elegant and artistic keepsakes will remind us to live each day to the fullest:

If you love all of Herend’s colors but can’t decide on which one to get as a gift for a newborn or small child, you’re going to love the Patchwork collection.  Hand painted shades of green, blue, yellow, and pink on bright white porcelain, this is perfect for little boys and girls alike.

For more baby gifts, click here.

No.  Chlorine bleach will cause fading and discoloration. In addition, it will break down and permanently weaken cotton and linen fibers.  If necessary, we recommend using an oxygen-based bleach or better yet, a solution specially formulated to clean fine linens, such as Le Blanc’s Linen Wash.

Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft, but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric over time. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of Egyptian cotton sheets, preventing them from breathing and decreasing the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener and, actually, with repeated washings and dryings, become softer naturally.

To view our Fabric Care selection, please click here.

This dining room from the Winter 2013 issue of California Home + Design looks like a work of art.  It features vintage Gio Ponti chairs, wall art made from 1970’s fabric design, and even a Tony Duquette Sunburst chandelier that was literally assembled one spear at a time:

But am I the only one who thinks “Better not touch anything here”?  A good room should not just be a museum, but a place where people feel comfortable.  The right rug could do exactly that for this dining room: Enhance the decor of the room, while letting you kick off your shoes and savor the wine, dessert, and company.

For example, Dash & Albert’s Icelandia Grey Hand Knotted Wool Rug is made from a soft tufted wool and has subtle gradations of grey to channel the modern and sophisticated look of the room:

This Safavieh rug by David Easton has a geometric pattern and colors that play with the pattern and tones of the art on the wall:

Finally, a Safavieh Oushak rug, like this one, could balance the room’s modernism with warmth and history:

 Submit a suggestion for an Instant Makeover by commenting below or tweeting us @GraciousStyle.

Want to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember? Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, or a luncheon with your closest friends, hosting for Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate!

Bold linens scream celebration. We love Yves Delorme‘s festive Face a Face Collection.

Warm your foyer or table with Simon Pearce‘s Highgate Heart Tealights.

Spark some romance with toasting flutes like Waterford‘s Love and Romance Red Flute Pair.

Accent your mantle with whimsical figurines. We love how romantic Herend‘s Kissing Swans are.

Make a statement with Vietri‘s glamorous Laurel Glass Red Serveware.

Details are everything! We love that extra punch of color with Alain Saint Joanis‘ Anglais Claret Flatware.

For more great Valentine’s Day ideas, click here.

Did you see the article in The Wall Street Journal about torchon kitchen towels?

Made with crisp linen and finished with traditional red stripes, these towels are inspired by those used in 19th-Century French households.  Today, they make for a perfect compliment to any busy kitchen and they’re great as oversized placemats. Soft, absorbent, and lint-free, these towels are as useful as they are charming.

A warm thanks to Dale Hrabi from the WSJ for featuring our Histoire de Torchon kitchen towels.  Available in an assorted set of six and bundled with a linen ribbon, we know you’ll reach for them every single day.

For more kitchen towels, click here.

Get all the best deals on your favorite Yves Delorme collections before it’s too late! You can still save up to 40% off many of our Yves Delorme bedding, down and bath linens. This sale is for only going on for just one more week, so take advantage of these great deals now.

For all of our Yves Delorme collections, click here.

Looking for the right way to say, “I love you”, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. From decor to dining, we have great gift ideas to make this year a memorable one.

For more Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas, click here.